BA Companion Voucher Spending Jumps, Amex Premium Plus Fee Up

## British Airways and American Express Update Co-Branded Credit Card Benefits British Airways and American Express have announced significant updates to their popular co-branded credit cards, raising the annual spending required to earn the coveted Companion Voucher. Effective **November 1st, 2024**, cardholders will need to meet a higher threshold, and those with the Premium Plus card will also see an increase in their annual fee. These changes follow a series of valuable enhancements to the voucher, making it more flexible than ever before. ### New Companion Voucher Spending Requirements For the first time in the program's 20-year history, the spending target to earn a Companion Voucher is increasing. Starting **November 1st, 2024**, both British Airways American Express cards will share a new, unified spending requirement of **£15,000** per membership year. Here’s how the requirements are changing for each card: * **British Airways American Express Credit Card (the free card):** The spending target will increase from **£12,000** to **£15,000**. * **British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card:** The spending target will increase from **£10,000** to **£15,000**. This change standardizes the path to earning the voucher, but it represents a more significant jump for Premium Plus cardholders, who will need to spend an additional £5,000 annually to qualify. ### BA Amex Card Fee and Transition Details Alongside the spending changes, the annual fee for the **British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card** is rising from **£250** to **£300**. This new fee took effect for new applications on **April 10th, 2024**, and will apply to existing members on their renewal date from **August 1st, 2024**, onwards. The standard British Airways American Express Credit Card will remain a no-annual-fee option. For current cardmembers, there is a crucial transition period. You can still earn your next Companion Voucher under the old spending rules (**£10,000** for Premium Plus, **£12,000** for the free card) as long as you hit the target by midnight on **October 31st, 2024**. If you haven't met the threshold by that date, the new **£15,000** target will apply for the remainder of your membership year. ### Recent Companion Voucher Enhancements While the increased costs may be unwelcome news, they come on the heels of major improvements that have boosted the voucher's value and flexibility. These recent enhancements help balance the scales and include: * **Travel in any cabin:** Vouchers can now be redeemed for Reward Flights in any cabin, including World Traveller Plus, Club World (business class), and First. * **Solo traveler discount:** If you travel alone, you can use the voucher to get a **50% discount** on the Avios price of your Reward Flight. * **More airline options:** You can now redeem your voucher on flights operated by partner airlines Iberia and Aer Lingus, opening up more routes and destinations. * **Use Avios and Money:** The "Avios and Money" feature can be used with voucher bookings, allowing you to reduce the taxes, fees, and carrier charges on your ticket. ### Other British Airways Executive Club Updates These card changes are part of a broader set of updates from the British Airways Executive Club aimed at rewarding loyal flyers. The airline recently launched a generous **free status match** for frequent flyers holding elite status with competing airlines. This offer grants equivalent BA status for six months, which can be extended by booking a qualifying premium cabin trip. Additionally, British Airways is extending its popular promotion that allows members to earn **double tier points** on flight-plus-hotel or flight-plus-car packages, making it easier to climb the status ladder. ### Conclusion & Next Steps for Cardholders With these changes, it's a good time to review your spending and travel habits. If you currently hold one of the BA Amex cards, check your progress toward your current spending target. If you're close, you may want to focus your spending to earn the voucher before the **October 31st, 2024**, deadline. For prospective cardholders and those re-evaluating the Premium Plus card, the decision now hinges on whether you can comfortably spend £15,000 per year and if the enhanced voucher benefits justify the new **£300** annual fee. Despite the higher costs, an American Express spokesperson noted that the benefit "remains an industry-leading credit card benefit," offering significant value for those who can maximize its powerful features.